COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Cortland Lodge # 748 recognized Trooper Ryan Boline and Trooper

Adam Koehler at the annual Cortland Elks Lodge Law Enforcement recogni-

tion ceremony. In August 2014, while working a night shift, these Troopers

used a Stinger tire deflation device and stopped a fleeing murder suspect

vehicle on I-81 in the Town of Cortlandville. The suspect had committed

murder earlier in Greene County, NY. Pictured (Left to Right:) Captain

Jeffrey VanAuken, Zone 3 Commander at Ithaca State Police, Major Donald

Faughnan, Trooper Ryan Boline of the Homer State Police and his wife,

Trooper Adam Koehler of Homer State Police and his wife, and Sgt/SC

Mikhail Wolchetsky of the Homer State Police.

Herb Flint, a member of Johnson City Lodge #2821 has been recognized

with The President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was presented to

Herb Flint for his countless volunteer hours to the Johnson City Lodge and

the Veterans in the community. Past State President Phil Holowacz and

Past Exalted Ruler Gayle Klein are pictured presenting the award to Herb

Flint, NY State Veterans Chair.

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy hosted the annual County

Executive’s Volunteer Awards and presented honors to seven individuals

who were cited for exemplary community service, including recently

deceased Johanna Baniak of Watervliet Lodge # 1500. The awards were

presented to a diverse array of county residents who have donated their

time and energy to help others.

“Today we take time to recognize those residents who selflessly give of

themselves for others,” said McCoy. “The honorees this year are people of

all ages and walks of life who are helping to make the community a better

place to live. It is so gratifying to see the quality of this year’s honorees and

those nominated. We deeply appreciate all they do to serve the communi-

ty.”

This year’s honorees have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to

service and represented a range of causes.

“We are deeply grateful to these volunteers for the time, energy, skill and

dedication they provide to the people of Albany County every day,” said

McCoy.

Johanna was a dedicated volunteer at the Stratton VA Medical Center,

where she had dedicated nearly 6,000 hours over the last 13 years. She

had been a key volunteer and organized fundraisers and coordinated

recreational activities for veterans. She was also known as a very modest

person who was passionate about helping others. Johanna is a Past Exalt-

ed Ruler of Watervliet Lodge #1500. Pictured in photo from Left to right

are: Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, member of Albany #49;

Noney Grier, Volunteer Specialist, Albany Stratton V.A. Medical Center,

Johanna Baniak, PER Watervliet #1500; Edward Baniak, PSVP, VA/VS

Rep State Capital Region, Watervliet #1500; and Bruce Hidley, Past State

President, Albany County Clerk.

Johnson City Lodge

#2821 participated as a

Sponsor for the first annual

David “DW” Smith, Jr. Re-

membrance 5K Run/Walk.

The event was organized as

a fundraiser to support and

honor the memory of Patrol-

man David W. Smith, Jr.,

who was tragically killed in

the line of duty on

March 31, 2014. The 5K

event kick-off at the Johnson

City Police Department,

31 Avenue C, Johnson City,

New York. The JC Elks

sponsored the coffee/bagels

tables for over 600 partici-

pants. Pictured are Denise

Sherman and Jody Zevan,

two of the runners in the

event.

The Vestal Lodge #2508 Pink Elk 5K Run/Walk was a success with over

175 runners/walkers. The event raised money to support the Lodges Veter-

an's Committee and Traci's Hope which is a local Breast Cancer Charity in

our area. All winners won prizes donated by local businesses and some

from our lodge members. This is the 3rd annual race and Vestal Lodge

intends to keep it going. A special thanks to Barb Taggart and Jake Brown

for organizing this wonderful event. Pictured are: Back Row - Rose Howard,

BarbaraAnn Morrissey, Emil Bielecki, Mondee (Bunny) Potter, Dan Hayes,

Deborah Mallen Middle Row - Patty Fitzgerald, Linda Hill, John Pooler and

Front Row - Cindy Nord, Barb Taggart, Joe Sobiech, Karen Marple, Ella

Sobiech, and Lori Hayes.

Potsdam Lodge #2074 and Massena Lodge #1702 have been proud

sponsors of the St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Torch Run to

benefit Special Olympics New York since the run was established in the

county 15 years ago. Potsdam Lodge has made an annual donation and

Massena Lodge has sponsored a post run luncheon. Massena Lodge

Exalted Ruler James Root and Potsdam members Tim Welpe and Mike

Pinckney are pictured with some of the Olympic athletes that participat-

ed following the luncheon at Massena Lodge. Potsdam Lodge members

Tim Welpe, Mike Neaton and Mike Pinckney and Massena Lodge mem-

ber Mike Girard have participated in most of the runs and have assisted

with the coordination of the runs over the past 15 years. (Picture to the

right)